Przegląd Zachodniopomorski

The present-day international relations are developed by states and other non-state actors with the use of some non-standard instruments of diplomacy, including its civil and municipal dimension. Local governments’ foreign activities, across-the-border contacts at the local level, international contacts of social organisations, schools, universities and institutions of culture have constituted a valuable complement of the activities taken by the government in the sphere of foreign policy since the 1990s. The instruments of public diplomacy, including the economic ones, are currently used to achieve aims of the Polish foreign policy and its soft power, contributing to the creation of a positive image of Poland as a reliable partner and a country open for cooperation. Public diplomacy and the support instruments on part of local governments and civil organisations help achieve the main aim, which is a creation of a positive image of Poland and enhancing its international position. Achieving that aim is supported by developing international cooperation, widening social debate on the Polish foreign policy and its substantive and expert background. The cooperation between the Polish central government and Polish local governments developed since 2012 have consisted in practical assistance in creating a foreign cooperation strategy, in supporting international activities of local governments, which constitute an important factor influencing an economic growth, creating an international positions of towns and regions and the development of social contacts. The West-Pomeranian Voivodeship has one of the best potential to develop international cooperation and diplomacy at the local government level. The international cooperation run by JSTs and other actors in the West-Pomeranian Voivodeship is compatible with the aims and priorities of the state foreign policy, and – at the same time – does not differ much from the policies pursued by other Polish voivodeships. The activities of the diplomacy at the local government level concentrates on economic cooperation, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the development of tourism, cooperation within institutions of culture, schools and universities. The priority is also the promotion of the West-Pomeranian Voivodeship at home and abroad.